Brave op girl Evie to turn on festive lights
A six-year-old girl who underwent life changing surgery to allow her to walk independently is continuing to make remarkable progress as she prepares to switch on a town's Christmas lights.
Evie Poole, who suffers from cerebral palsy and walks with the help of a frame, underwent major surgery at Leeds General Infirmary on her legs and spine in September in the hope of one day being able to walk independently.
Much of the £50,000 needed for the operation was paid for thanks to cash raised from charity events held in Market Drayton with residents rallying around to help the youngster after she was initially refused funding by South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.
Today Evie's father Jonathan Poole said his daughter continued to go from strength to strength as she prepares to switch on the town's Christmas lights tonight.
He said: "Evie is doing really well and is working very hard, so hopefully one day she will walk independently. We are still going through lots of physio but she is looking stronger and sturdier on her feet every day.
"She does a lot of hydrotherapy work and also horse riding to get her used to using muscles that she never could before.
"The physios can never say for certain that she will walk on her own but it is looking very good. All the signs are really positive."
He said both he and his wife Jayne were thrilled with the success of the operation.
He said: "It's been an absolute success because Evie is now doing things she never could before. All the pain she used to have has gone and now she just has to build up these muscles. But you can see the difference. She used to really have to hold on to mine or Jayne's hand but now it's just the slightest touch for guidance."
He added: "Both Jayne and I don't want to wish for too much but we think she will walk independently – even if it's not for another year or 18 months."
Hundreds of people were set to flock to Market Drayton today for the Festival of Lights with Evie taking centre stage at around 5pm. The town centre is to be filled with charity stalls, children's entertainment and live music.
Mr Poole added: "Evie is looking forward to it but is a bit nervous because she knows it's going to be a big crowd but she wants to say thanks for all the support she has had."
